Erdogan Criticized For Israeli TV Interview

An interview Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave Israel’s Channel 2 on Monday sparked controversy on Arab social media.

In the interview, Erdogan refused to apologize for the 2009 Gaza flotilla, in which Turkish protesters clashed with Israeli soldiers, blaming the latter for the death sof Turkish “martyrs.” He also said that after a strained period, Israel and Turkey are on their way to turning over a new leaf.

Erdogan came under fire for the interview, especially from Muslim Brotherhood supporters. He was strongly criticized on Twitter under the hashtag #Erdogan_interview_Israeli_TV.

Munzer Mubaraq wrote in relation to Erdogan’s statement about a new chapter in his country’s relations with Israel: “What would the sheikhs tell their stupid audience if one of their rivals said these things?”